Singapore workforce more confident, but rising stress and falling job satisfaction create a widening rift

Singapore’s workforce is feeling more confident and aligned with company values, but rising stress levels and falling job satisfaction—especially among younger employees—signal growing tensions in the evolving world of work.

These insights were revealed in ManpowerGroup’s Global Talent Barometer 2025, Volume 1, which surveyed over 13,700 employees across 19 countries, including 507 in Singapore.

The report introduces three key indices—Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction, and Confidence—offering a snapshot of employee sentiment. Singapore’s overall score stood at 64%, comprising 63% for Wellbeing, 55% for Job Satisfaction, and a relatively high 74% for Confidence.

According to the findings, employees in Singapore continue to find meaning in their work and feel increasingly aligned with their organisational values. Yet, daily stress is on the rise, with 53% reporting moderate to high levels of stress. Millennials, meanwhile, reported the steepest decline in job satisfaction—a 21 percentage point drop since 2024—despite improved support for work-life balance.

“People continue to expect more from their work—more flexibility, more balance, and more opportunities to grow,” said Linda Teo, Country Manager of ManpowerGroup Singapore. “Even so, one in four employees in Singapore feel they don’t have enough opportunities to achieve their career goals at their current employer. This highlights the importance of continuous skill development—not just to build capability, but to show organisational commitment to people’s futures.”

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The study also uncovered a widening divide in workplace experiences. Essential employees report significantly lower values alignment (49%) compared to executive and senior-level employees (89%), and gender disparities persist. While 69% of male employees report having opportunities for promotion or internal movement, only 58% of women report the same.

Globally, employee confidence is trending upward, with the overall Confidence Index rising to 76%. Additionally, 82% of respondents report that their work feels meaningful. However, job satisfaction has dipped to 62%, and concerns about job security are growing, with only 65% of employees worldwide feeling secure in their roles over the next six months.

“In Singapore’s fast-paced and diverse economy, it’s vital for employers to reimagine work to build resilience and involve people as active partners in shaping the future. Now is the time to listen, engage, and act. These insights help us better understand what matters most to employees in Singapore—and how we can build a more sustainable, human-centred world of work,” Teo concluded.